How Things Work

The Computer Science Edition

Charles F. Bowman

• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC
• Year: 2021
• Topic: Computer Science
• eBook ISBN:
  9781000433913
• Subtopic: Computer Engineering
• Index: Computer Science

It's axiomatic to state that people fear what they do not understand, and this is especially true when it comes to technology. However, despite their prevalence, computers remain shrouded in mystery, and many users feel apprehensive when interacting with them. Smartphones have only exacerbated the issue. Indeed, most users of these devices leverage only a small fraction of the power they hold in their hands.

How Things Work: The Computer Science Edition is a roadmap for readers who want to overcome their technophobia and harness the full power of everyday technology. Beginning with the basics, the book demystifies the mysterious world of computer science, explains its fundamental concepts in simple terms, and answers the questions many users feel too intimidated to ask.

By the end of the book, readers will understand how computers and smart devices function and, more important, how they can make these devices work for them. To complete the picture, the book also introduces readers to the darker side of modern technology: security and privacy concerns, identity theft, and threats from the Dark Web.

CHAPTER 1

Computers Are Everywhere

I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.

ISAAC ASIMOV

INTRODUCTION

Depending on your perspective, computers are either the bane or the blessing of modern life. They help us file our taxes, guide doctors through sophisticated surgeries, and deliver entertainment on demand. Unfortunately, they can also overwhelm us with techno-jargon, drown us in a tsunami of spam and unwanted advertising, and serve as targets for identity theft. Nonetheless, can you envision life without them?

Like any other tool, the more you learn about computers, the more useful they become. However, most of us have neither the time nor the inclination to become computer programmers or software architects. Nonetheless, we certainly don’t want to remain wholly uninformed so that every mouse click seems like “magic.” Thus, that begs the question: How much technology does someone need to understand to harness the power of the electronic world?

That is the very intent of this book: to arm you, the reader, with enough information to remove the mystique and apprehension associated with computers and replace it with a broad understanding of their inner workings so that your interaction with them becomes more rewarding and less frustrating.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

I’m sure everyone reading this book owns or is familiar with many of the following products:

• Smartphone
• Smartwatch
• Smart TV
• eBooks/eReaders (e.g., Kindle)
• Smart Thermostats
• Navigation Systems (GPS)
• Smart Assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Home)

Smart devices like those listed above have all found hooks on the toolbelts of modern life. Consider: When was the last time you asked for driving directions or “looked up a word” in a printed dictionary? Do you ask Alexa or Google Home for the weather report or a daily news briefing? Does your refrigerator automatically order milk from your online grocer when you’re running low?

As the previous examples demonstrate, interaction with computers is unavoidable in today's world. Sometimes it's obvious. For instance, it's clear that you’re using an “intelligent” device when you power up your laptop. But how about when you press a button on an elevator? Or when you change gears in your car?

Whether we’re comfortable with computers or not, we need to accept them—even embrace them. Still, many folks opt to remain ignorant of what is a fundamental aspect of modern living. Such an approach is not consistent with other facets of our lives, however.

For example, most car owners don’t know how to design automobiles. Yet, even if they don’t understand the details, they are familiar with an automobile’s major components: engine, transmission, suspension, etc. Though minimal, such familiarity with automotive design makes drivers more comfortable sitting behind the wheel. Nonetheless, despite our general acceptance of technology, many of us turn our heads and wave our hands when computers are the topic of discussion.

Unfortunately, in the world of technology, ignorance is not bliss. What you don’t know might wind up hurting you.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS BOOK

I’m sure many readers of this book have no desire to become electrical engineers or software developers—you’d be reading different types of books. That's good because this text aims to help layfolk and students understand—at a conceptual level—the inner workings of computer systems. As we progress, we’ll learn what this incredible technology can do for us. Additionally, in Chapter 13, we’ll also discover what it can do to us.

Throughout the text, we’ll use plain everyday language. Nonetheless, to become conversant in the world of computing, you’ll need to understand some basic terminology. However, whenever jargon is unavoidable, we’ll introduce it delicately and explain it thoroughly.

ORGANIZATION

From a pedagogical perspective, the book will introduce each main subject (hardware, software, networking, etc.) with an introductory chapter that presents the material in broad strokes. Subsequent chapters will dive deeper into the subject matter.

Our journey begins with a brief history of the evolution of computers, followed by an overview of digitization—one of the most fundamental facets of this technology. After that, we’ll describe the hardware components used in modern-day computers and discuss how systems “talk to each other” (i.e., networking).

Given that foundation, we’ll address the most challenging subject in computer science: software. After reading those chapters, you’ll have a solid understanding of what software is (and what it's not!).

Once we understand how hardware and software work together, we’ll describe how computer programs execute and how software developers build them. Then, we’ll put all this knowledge to work and write some code. After completing this section, you’ll feel much more comfortable working with new applications in the future.

Unfortunately, no discussion of the modern computing world would be complete without reviewing its darker side. Thus, this book will inform you about the dangers that lurk behind the lure of the Internet, the risks behind the façade of free software, and the precautions you can adopt to protect yourself.

All technical chapters will include an Advanced Topic section, which presents the chapter's main ideas in ways that are, well, more advanced. And there's also a glossary of terms containing definitions for all the terms and acronyms used throughout the text.

So, hop on the train—but leave the baggage of your apprehensions behind—because we are about to embark on an enjoyable journey of discovery.

FORMATTING CONVENTIONS

To simplify the presentation of this material, we’ve adopted the following formatting conventions:

• When introduced, all technical jargon will appear in italics.
• All computer-related terms—file names, command-line text, and program output—will appear in THIS FONT.
• We’ll highlight formal definitions using centered text highlighted in gray.
  This is an example of a formal definition.
• All program listings are highlighted in gray contain numbered lines, and the code will appear in THIS FONT.
  001 // THIS IS A SAMPLE CODE LISTING
  002 #INCLUDE <STDIO.H>
  003 MAIN()
  004 {
  005 PRINTF( “HELLO WORLD\N”);
  006 }

CHAPTER 2

A Brief History of Computing

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.

PABLO PICASSO

OVERVIEW

It's often the case that to know where you’re going, you need to understand where you’ve been. The study of technology is no different. Thus, this chapter will demonstrate how, through necessity and ingenuity, these marvelous machines we call computers evolved in a rather pedestrian manner.

For those readers who are not interested in the origins of computing, feel free to skip this chapter.

MAJOR ADVANCES IN COMPUTING

Most human progress is a series of small advances building upon prior accomplishments (and failures). Thus, when examining the historical development of any discipline, it's often difficult to establish its “beginning.” Indeed, one can trace the ro...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Author
• CHAPTER 1 ▪ Computers Are Everywhere
• CHAPTER 2 ▪ A Brief History of Computing
• CHAPTER 3 ▪ Digitization
• CHAPTER 4 ▪ What Is a Computer?
• CHAPTER 5 ▪ Internal Hardware Components
• CHAPTER 6 ▪ Hardware-External Components
• CHAPTER 7 ▪ Networking: The Art of Communication
• CHAPTER 8 ▪ Software: The Elusive Enigma
• CHAPTER 9 ▪ Software: Operating Systems
• CHAPTER 10 ▪ Software Architecture and Design
• CHAPTER 11 ▪ Software: How It’s Built
• CHAPTER 12 ▪ Putting It All Together
• CHAPTER 13 ▪ Security and Privacy
• GLOSSARY OF TERMS
• READING LIST
• INDEX